Examining Perseverance and Patience

This post’s passage reference: Psalm 119:81-89

Car trouble. If we have owned a vehicle, I believe that most of us have had to deal with car trouble in one form or another. My very first car was a 1977, silver Gremlin X with a maroon sport stripe. That maroon sport stripe was very important at the time. My friend‘s mom lovingly referred to my vehicle as June Bug, because she said it sounded like a June Bug coming up on the hill toward their house.

Well, my sweet little June Bug was probably about three years old when I bought her. I drove the car for over 10 years. I learned a little bit about perseverance and patience throughout the 10 years that I drove that car. First there was a wild trip down the hillside that ended up smashed into a tree. Then there were multiple transmission issues. Then there was the winter when I had no thermostat for a little while and had to drive over an hour to work wrapped up in blankets with the windows cracked. Now that kind of perseverance and patience probably wasn’t a really big deal. It was a really big deal to me at the time, but in the whole scheme of life, it wasn’t a big deal. But it was a life lesson in persevering through driving that vehicle as long as I could for financial reasons and being patient during the seasons of sitting on the side of the Interstate, waiting for somebody to come by and help me. Poor little June Bug.

As we see in Psalm 119:81-89, the psalmist writing this passage was dealing with a much more serious type of perseverance and patience. The psalmist, as he was pleading with the Lord here, is telling Him that he is nearly spent—used up—waiting for his salvation. Even so, he is still putting his hope in the Word of the Lord. His eyes have become weak from constantly searching His Word for help and uttering, “When are You going to console me, give me comfort?” 

He describes himself as a bottle in the smoke. (Which was most likely describing a skin or leather bag that liquids were kept in. When exposed to smoke, a wineskin would become dry, brittle, and shriveled. ~ From BibleHub, Study Bible, Psalm 119:83) Even through his discouragement, he still held fast to God’s statutes.

He did seem to whine a little bit, asking if he would see judgement on his persecutors while he was still living. He was reminding God that, against His law, the arrogant ones had laid out traps to capture him. 

Ah, but he does not stray far from seeking God’s heart for long. He confessed his belief in the faithfulness of God’s commandments. He called on God to surround him and protect him from his persecutors. They had almost succeeded in taking his life, but through it all he remained faithful to God’s precepts. 

He looked to the kindness of God  to sustain his life so that he could continue to obey His testimonies.  Eventually he confessed that God’s Word is eternal throughout the heavens. It was almost like he knew he would win in the end…eventually. 

What is the challenge of this passage for those that follow Christ? I feel that the challenge could be patience and perseverance.  We do live in a world that wants instant answers, and they do not want to deal with any hardships while they are waiting those two seconds for resolution. This passage shows us that even through extreme hardships we need to persevere and keep looking to God for strength to endure to the end.

How can we apply this to our lives. We can follow the pattern of the psalmist. When you are faced with challenging situations, go to God and keep going to Him and going to His Word. Look and look…and look until you find some relief. And yea, if you need to whine a little bit (without being disrespectful,) I believe God understands. 

What does this mean to my faith? My faith is strengthened when I see God’s Word urging me to stand strong, to not give up and continue seeking God’s active presence in my life. When I realize that God’s statutes are eternal, I know that, no matter what the “now” is, I win in the “end.” God’s people will always win in the end!  

Lord, thank You for showing us in Your Word that even though life is not always easy, we can come to You and trust in Your Master Plan. Help me to trust You more during the times when I have nowhere to go except to You. Help me to respond to those times with faith and prayer, and perseverance and patience, and trust in Your purpose and Your timing. 

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“81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. 82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? 83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. 84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? 85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. 86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. 87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts. 88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. 89 For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:81-89 

“I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.”Psalm 69:3 (KJV)

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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.  

What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe?  Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him?  You can know Him.  Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity.  You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.  

Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ!  PeaceWithGod.net

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